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Winter-Proofing Our Trees
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Author:  BonsaiMax [ 19 Nov 2019, 10:25 ]
Post subject:  Winter-Proofing Our Trees

Hello all you wonderful people! :hatoff:

I have not taken the time to protect my bonsai trees yet and this is their first winter outdoors. I've seen recommendations for bubble wrap and maybe a bit of fleece or cloth for additional protection.

1) Any recommendations?

2) How does the tree receive any water to the soil if it's completely covered?


Thank you! :smallthumb:

Author:  keithmart [ 19 Nov 2019, 11:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter-Proofing Our Trees

Hi

The main thing is to keep them out of wind, (which tends to dry them out). Also not to get them too wet, (which can rot the wood and roots).

The trees are in your charge and will need your attention to supply water to keep the soil damp.

That said, most trees will be fine outside where nature intended them to be.

Author:  richardb [ 19 Nov 2019, 12:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter-Proofing Our Trees

If you read the article on kaizen bonsai it will give you a better understanding of what's important during winter. Personally most of my trees just stay in the same place outdoors as they do in summer and because of the general weather there are winters when I never water them from october through to March. Obviously I do keep an eye on the soil. If the weather is forcast for less than minus 6 for a few days then I will move them into the shed. If it snows then I leave the snow on for insulation but clear it before it thaws out into the pot.

Author:  daryl [ 19 Nov 2019, 16:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter-Proofing Our Trees

BonsaiMax, tell us what varieties of tree you have. You might not need to do anything at all, depending also on where you live. I am on the south coast and all I do for my trees is bunch them all up together on the bench to reduce the risk of the wind blowing them over. Apart from that they just have to fend for themselves.

Personally, I am not convinced that a little bit of bubble wrap round the pots is going to make a jot of difference. If it is cold all night then everything is going to end up the same temperature. Fleece also won't keep things warm, it just reduces the effect of cold and frost on the leaves and keeps the wind chill factor down to a minimum. That's not scientific research, just my opinion :lol:

Author:  keithmart [ 19 Nov 2019, 16:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter-Proofing Our Trees

Quote:
Fleece also won't keep things warm, it just reduces the effect of cold and frost on the leaves and keeps the wind chill factor down to a minimum. That's not scientific research, just my opinion :lol:


Trees do not create heat, so all fleece can do is slow down the cold temperature getting to the tree. The temperature will bottom out to the outside temperature eventually.

It also works in reverse, slowing warming up.

Author:  bluesky [ 19 Nov 2019, 18:37 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter-Proofing Our Trees

I only protect mine against the wind. If I'm away a few days or if high wind is forecast I put them on the patio floor.

The exceptions are the Sageretias and Portulacaria afra, which are all indoors since over a month ago, on a bright widowsill. Contrary to popular belief, it does get very cold here sometimes in winter!

Author:  Keith Hansell [ 20 Nov 2019, 17:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter-Proofing Our Trees

I agree with all the other comments but I still think protection, be it fleece or bubble wrap, can help. It certainly won't solve a lot of problems, nor will it change the air/ground temperature. As we know there is a lot of difference in ground growing and plants/trees in pots. Potted trees are attacked by the cold not only from the surface but also the sides. The upside is that given a bit of winter sunshine they warm up, where due to its mass, the ground will remain cold. Last year I wrapped my newly air layered Pyracantha to try and keep the night frosts off the outside of the pot. In my first year of growing Bonsai I panicked and tried to protect everything. Now days I leave them to the elements, although as already mentioned, keep out of the biting winds were possible. This year I have put about five shohin in a temporary greenhouse/shelter, which in turn creates another issue of maintaining an air flow to prevent mould. Hard work this gardening lark............

Author:  Loufada [ 28 Nov 2019, 11:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter-Proofing Our Trees

Same journey as Keith. I used to protect a lot more than I do now. Nowadays I only protect my Buddleia trees because they are actually quite sensitive to frost and could see many of the thinner branches to die in the event of a hard frost. All I do is put them in a greenhouse...

Author:  johnbaz [ 03 Dec 2019, 23:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter-Proofing Our Trees

All my Maples go in to a cold greenhouse, (Patio trees as well as Bonsai), Had to leave three out to rough it as they're a bit too large and the greenhouse is crammed now!! :???:

I had to water them yesterday as some were dried out with a couple of decent days!! :132doh:

Image


John :201thumbup:

Author:  Sizzla [ 04 Dec 2019, 06:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter-Proofing Our Trees

Plants do produce a small amount of heat as they respire, as an exothermic reaction is taking place. Fleece or bubble wrap should stop this heat from dissipation and being blown away maybe?

Also the heat from the ground can be maximised by covering because it's not being lost so easily through the night

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